Sons of Anarchy season 5 is shaping up to be a big one. According to Deadline,
the show has cast Jimmy Smits in a major recurring role for season 5,
which is set to premiere this fall. Smits will play Neron "Nero"
Padilla, a Latino gang member who serves as a mentor to Jax.

At the end of season 4, Jax usurped Clay as the leader of SAMCRO, but his new role will come with plenty of responsibilities and pressure. Having a Latino gangster as a mentor might not be the smartest move, but it will sure make for an interesting dynamic.

Every season Sons of Anarchy seems to add to its impressive cast, like Adam Arkin in season 2 and Danny Trejo in season 4. Smits, however, is certainly the most high-profile actor to join the show, and hopefully his presence might draw some attention from awards voters. The Emmys have been notoriously dismissive of Sons of Anarchy despite rave reviews from the critics.

Smits earned an impressive 11 Emmy nominations for his work on L.A. Law and NYPD Blue. He also received an Emmy nomination for his guest appearance on Dexter's third season as Miguel Prado, who served as a partner in crime for serial killer Dexter Morgan. Smits' other TV roles include The West Wing, Cane and Outlaw.